Prof. Aigars Pētersons: RSU will generate a billion for Latvia's development

Guntars Gūte, journalist from the newspaper Diena, speaks with Aigars Pētersons, Rector of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), about the university’s achievements to date and its future goals in research, science, and innovation, including at the international level.

RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons. Photo: Kristaps Kalns (Dienas mediji)

You have described RSU as a research university. How do you define research in general, and what do you mean by the term "research university"? Through this lens, what does RSU offer to students, Latvian society, and the world at large?

Research is the driving force of humanity—it not only answers questions but also raises new ones by challenging existing knowledge and finding solutions to future problems. As stipulated by the Law on Higher Education Institutions, RSU is a research university where scientific research is not merely a complement to studies but forms the foundation of all academic activity. We do not simply teach what is already known; we also generate new knowledge and promote its practical application. For students, this means an education grounded in the latest discoveries, the opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers, and the development of essential skills for future professionals—critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.

For society, a research university means that progress is driven by research-based solutions in medicine, healthcare, life sciences, law, economics, and other fields.

RSU researchers’ work informs policy recommendations, enhances healthcare, drives technological advancements, and contributes to societal well-being.

Research is not merely a separate activity but the foundation of the university’s development. We focus on interdisciplinary innovation, integrating expertise from medicine, public health, social sciences, and natural sciences to tackle both national and global challenges. In recent years, our research activities have expanded significantly— in 2023 alone, RSU initiated over 25 new projects, both international and industry-funded, with total funding exceeding 6 million EUR.

The year 2024 is marked by the launch of nine new Horizon Europe projects and six fundamental and applied research projects, with total funding of 2.5 million EUR. In 2025, we will maintain this momentum, initiating a further 10 fundamental and applied research projects with a similar level of investment. Our researchers are engaged in biomarker research, workplace environment and ergonomics, sustainable urban and agricultural development, sports medicine, vaccination, access to information and misinformation, cultural literacy, and authoritarianism. We are actively participating in national research programmes alongside leading partners in biomedicine, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, RSU plays a key role in the Ministry of Economy’s Innovation Fund programmes, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that research findings are translated into practical solutions.

Science must not remain confined to publications—it must have impact, visibility, and practical application. That is why RSU continues to expand its research opportunities,

investing in new projects, people, and infrastructure ensures that the innovations our scientists create make a real difference in Latvia and globally.

As a research university, RSU has a responsibility—to its students, to society, and to the world.

We create knowledge that works for humanity, and that is how we understand the essence of what a research university is.

RSU also offers interdisciplinary studies.

Yes, RSU studies are interdisciplinary—we bridge the gap between healthcare, medical study programmes, and social sciences, broadening knowledge and fostering innovation to address key societal challenges.

At RSU, studies and research are closely linked—students can engage in research from the very beginning of their studies, while scientists work not only in laboratories but also in real-world settings, collaborating with industry and society.

RSU offers over 60 study programmes, each incorporating a research element, connections to industry, and a focus on innovation.

At RSU, we do not distinguish between studies for students, PhD students, or researchers – from day one, everyone has the opportunity to pursue their own interests. This is facilitated through around 35 student research groups, where students engage in finding answers across fields such as healthcare, medicine, natural sciences, social sciences, and sports. Recently, digitalisation, new technologies, and artificial intelligence have also gained significant attention.

While we may not specialise in engineering, humanities, or pedagogy, certain degree programmes are linked to these fields. For instance, clinical psychology, medical engineering, and sports pedagogy include interdisciplinary components. Collaboration with other research universities, both in Latvia and internationally, plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of these interdisciplinary programmes.

What is the key to RSU's research success? What is the foundation of the international character of RSU?

At the international level, RSU, as a research university, is deeply integrated into the global academic community. We collaborate with world-leading research centres, participate in international projects, and generate new knowledge that addresses global challenges. Our researchers contribute to prestigious publications and conferences, and our innovations are actively tested and implemented in real-world scenarios.

The number of internationally cited publications by RSU researchers has nearly doubled over the past five years.

Research is now a global endeavour, which is why we have significantly expanded our research team. RSU is an open European university, hosting 130 international visiting researchers and professors. Currently, we have 12 tenured professors, some funded by the university and others by the state, by the Ministry of Education and Science. Notably, RSU has the largest number of international tenured professors, with half of all research professors coming from abroad. These professors work across diverse fields, including natural sciences, data science, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and social sciences. Each new colleague who joins RSU builds a team around them, attracting PhD students and fellow researchers. This collaborative effort sets the foundation for groundbreaking work, with results expected in two, three, or perhaps five years. Already, we are witnessing the fruits of these collaborations—internationally cited publications, as well as participation in prominent international projects like Horizon, one of the EU's most esteemed research initiatives. None of this would be possible without a modernised infrastructure. While some research is conducted at international research institutes, much of it takes place right here in Latvia. Our research capabilities span across all five RSU faculties and the Latvian Academy of Sport Education, ensuring a wide range of expertise and collaborative opportunities.

Recently, the Latvian Strategy and Economic Research Institute (LaSER) presented the results of a study, Foreign students in Latvia: a source of growth? Could you comment on its findings?

The LaSER study analysed the impact of international students on Latvia's education sector, labour market, and economic development. The responses of 1,809 participants were examined, offering a detailed profile of international students, their perceptions of studying in Latvia, and the opportunities they create for both the Latvian economy and education sector. To assess the economic contribution, data on student spending (including tuition fees, housing, and accommodation) was collected, along with the economic impact generated by visitors accompanying international students. For comparison, data from a similar survey conducted in 2016, which analysed the same cost categories, was used.

The study shows that RSU has been a pioneer in attracting international students for 34 years.

In this time, we have grown into a leading institution in Northern Europe. In Latvia, only 15% of students are from abroad, while our university currently has more than 3,000 international students, making up more than a quarter of the total student body. Last year, RSU's international students contributed 139 million EUR to Latvia's economy, with projections suggesting this could rise to 1 billion EUR by 2030.

The education of international students is supported by attracting guest lecturers and offering modern, content-rich, and high-quality study programmes. Every 2-3 years, our medical and dental programmes are updated and aligned with European standards. Our recently updated courses cover topics such as data protection, military medicine, artificial intelligence, and patients' rights. More than 90% of our international students come from EU countries, with a growing number from Scandinavia and Germany.

We also have a network of healthcare institutions across Europe, including 15 clinical training centres in countries such as Germany, Finland, Israel, Italy, and Portugal, which enables international students to complete their clinical training in their home country. Furthermore, RSU is the first Baltic university to establish a branch in Europe for medical studies – the RSU Stade branch at the Elbe Hospital in Germany. This strategically significant move expands our students' opportunities to gain high-quality clinical experience within the European healthcare system.

Since 2022, the RSU Stade branch has hosted five groups of students, totalling 46 students, with the potential to accommodate 100 students annually in the future. The branch not only offers clinical studies and internships but also strengthens RSU’s partnerships with German hospitals and healthcare institutions. This collaboration enhances international scientific cooperation and improves the competitiveness of RSU graduates in Europe.

However, the Stade branch is just the beginning. Our goal is to establish a network of RSU branches across Germany, offering even more opportunities for study, research, and innovation for both our students and academic staff. This expansion will help raise the profile of Latvian medical education and science at the European level, while also attracting new international partners and students.

One might assume that Germans and Scandinavians choose to study at RSU because it is more affordable while still offering high-quality education.

However, low tuition fees are not the primary factor. We are currently competing with institutions such as Semmelweis University in Hungary and Charles University in Prague, and our price difference is minimal. Our target market is Europe. When tuition fees for medicine and dentistry reach up to 15,000 EUR per year, cost becomes less of an issue. The main selling point for RSU is the quality of education. We incorporate simulation technologies into all of our study programmes, and we are a leader in developing these technologies, even among Latvian universities. This commitment began 11 years ago when we decided that all healthcare and medicine-related programmes should include a simulation stage.

These technologies, although costly, ensure both patient and student safety, while instilling confidence in practical skills. They allow future professionals to perform procedures that closely mirror real-life scenarios in their respective fields. As a result, our students receive an appendix to their diploma upon graduation, listing the skills they have mastered along with an assessment. Currently, we teach and perfect around 70 skills at the RSU Medical Education Simulation Centre.

The high quality of education at RSU is further evidenced by the fact that our graduates are quickly integrated into the labour market. German and Scandinavian graduates secure employment in their home countries, while local employers actively seek to hire our Latvian graduates.

RSU boasts one of the highest employment rates for graduates in Latvia. An impressive 92.8% of our graduates are employed in their field within healthcare, earning competitive salaries. This has contributed to RSU maintaining its position as the top-ranked university in Latvia for reputation for the ninth consecutive year. This ranking comes from a survey conducted this winter by Kantar, which polled over 1,000 Latvian residents aged 15-60.

We have made significant strides in ensuring the quality of our study programmes, which we continuously measure through results. After each study cycle, we collect feedback from our students via more than 50,000 questionnaires. We carefully analyse this feedback and use it to make adjustments, ensuring that the quality of education remains consistently high.

National security and defence are important issues in today's society, and RSU plays a key role in addressing these challenges. The concept of "security" extends far beyond military matters and encompasses a wide array of topics, including public health, which is particularly relevant in the context of various risks we face.

The world is evolving at an accelerated pace, particularly in areas such as healthcare, medical and social sciences. We can clearly distinguish between two major periods: before and after the pandemic. The pandemic brought about significant changes in medical care approaches, algorithms, and guidelines, many of which must now be integrated into our healthcare systems. Additionally, the geopolitical landscape has forced us all to rethink our strategies, with the invasion of Ukraine adding further urgency to these considerations.

In 2023, RSU launched a project focused on military medical education in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, aligning with the National Defence Concept. Several hundred students have already graduated from this military medicine course, and our aim is to train 500 new specialists each year. These professionals will be equipped to work effectively with the National Armed Forces. So far, the course has welcomed future medics, dentists, rehabilitation specialists, and other healthcare professionals, all of whom are gaining the expertise required to address the unique demands of military healthcare.

From next year, RSU plans to expand the military medicine course to include residents, doctors in lifelong learning programmes, as well as sports pedagogy students.

One aspect is our training course, which we have prepared, and another is that we have trained the required number of instructors who can deliver the training anywhere in Latvia. At the same time, a major challenge is the development of the necessary infrastructure, as training cannot be conducted in just one or two classrooms. We very much hope that these issues will be resolved, as they are crucial for ensuring both the internal and external security of society and the state. We are also ready to engage in discussions about the establishment of military departments at universities.

From the first day of the war, we have been firmly advocating for support for Ukraine and its academic community.

In the past three years, we have welcomed 18 guest lecturers from Ukraine, and currently, 39 Ukrainian students are studying at our university.

These are challenging times, but thanks to education, collaboration, and solidarity, we continue to build a stronger future together. Latvia and RSU stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine – in the academic environment, in medicine, and in supporting its people during this difficult period.

Every two years, RSU organises Research Week, a significant scientific event in terms of both the invited speakers and the topics covered. Can you outline the current topics and global trends that will be addressed this year?

This year will mark the fourth edition of Research Week, and on a Nordic level, it is undoubtedly the largest scientific event in healthcare, medicine, social sciences, and now also sports science.

For this year’s event, we expect at least 60 guest professors, as well as lecturers and practitioners who will participate in five different conferences, creative workshops, innovation hackathons, discussions, and research labs.

We prepare for this event over two years—immediately after each Research Week, we assess what worked, what didn’t, and what needs further development. With new initiatives emerging, such as combating hybrid warfare threats, there will be a dedicated session for experts on this topic. A separate section will also be dedicated to artificial intelligence—its management, as well as innovations, digital health, and the development of sports science.

Research Week will begin with the International Student Conference, which this year has become the largest student-organised international-level conference in all of Northern Europe. Over the course of two days, it will gather more than 5,000 students.

From the very first days of their studies, RSU traditions are embraced by every new colleague—students, professors, and researchers alike. Here, we enhance our knowledge, conduct research, and collaborate with one another, as RSU is founded on the values of an open European university—collaboration is our strength.

Source: diena.lv